Innovating to find a solution which brings Business Value

Step 1 - Investigate the Opportunity or Problem.

The main focus at this stage is listening to people. The investigation stage involves getting up close, observing users, "climbing the rockwal"  and finding out as much as possible about the situation and background.

Step 2 - Define Success: "Begin with the end in mind."

At this stage we get agreement on what success looks like. Visualising the end goal means those involved will have at some tangible success criteria, describing things at a high level like how, when, where, who, how fast and how much. These criteria will be linked to Business Value metrics such as a reduction in costs or an increase in productivity. All of this is captured in a Business Value Model which sets out the desired benefits the solution should bring, usually expressed as an NPV euro amount over 3/5 years.

Step 3 - Explore Ideas and the Solution.

At this point we start to build ideas on how to create the solution. Using whiteboards and sketches we explore ideas on the solution in more detail. These would include sessions on user experience, business process change, what technology to apply and how and the delivery methodology to use.

Step 4 - Prepare, Prototype, Plan.

This is a key step in preparing the business users for adoption of the technology. We make extensive use of prototyping here, and certain agile techniques can be powerful. Good early planning is vital, it is also essential to re-plan regularly to ensure the focus is kept on the end deliverables.

Step 5 - Refine & Implement.

During this stage the solution is launched, potentially as a pilot. Many successful projects are divided into manageable phases, where users are given a chance to adopt and potentially refine the system. Gathering metrics on adoption and usage is also a key activity here.

Step 6 - Measure the results.

For any technology solution to deliver business value, it is essential that the benefits are assessed and measured post-deployment. This allows us to compare the business value model created at the outset to the actual benefits delivered as part of the solution. Using this approach sets us apart from other solution providers, and brings real business value from IT.